Go to your local Asian market and they will have a very wide selection of instant noodles that are much better than either of these.
Also grab some LaoGanMa Spicy Chili Crisp to put in it, you can thank me later.
this post was submitted on 24 Aug 2025
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I'll never forget when my girlfriend introduced me to Lao Gan Ma crispy chili in oil. Honestly salivating a little just by thinking of it right now. I ate it just about every day for a week, after first trying it. And the smell! Absolutely divine. I do need to keep it wrapped in 3 bags though, for it not to smell up the entire fridge, haha.
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For the actual stovetop? Maruchan.
For the "In-a-Cup" variety? Nissin.
But what I really want is Nongshim Shin Black.
Shin black is so far above everything else it's almost embarrassing. Only other ramen thay I sometimes crave is the Nissin black garlic tonkatsu.
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If you can find it, look for the Indonesian version of ramen from Indomie. In my opinion, so much better - it actually has other flavors than salt! ;)
Agree. These are baller.
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BEHOLD
A limited edition Maruchan ceramic cup, as proof of my allegiance.
I'm actually boiling some noodles rn XD.
Not deep fried in vegetable oil or lard and much healthier for you while costing less afaik.
Eat it raw, drink the boiling water. Look across the table and call your horrified friends/relatives/coworkers pussies.
Between these two? Maruchan- but Shin Ramyun is pretty fire https://a.co/d/7eg3qSl
I like Shin Ramyun for sure, just more expensive. Samyang 2X Buldak is my favorite, spicy though. 🔥 🥵
I love Buldak Ramen. I haven't had a bad flavor yet. I just had the Yakisoba flavor today for lunch. It was good, but not great. I think Rosé or the original are my favorites.
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Try Buldak Stew flavor, it's pretty tasty and more like ramen soup than stir fried noodles.
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Nongshim
top ramen? definitely the top ramen in my "won't ever buy" list
It's cheap noodles! And 5mg of chicken bouillon. Mix it with a splash of soy, fish sauce, 5ml sambal olek, and 30mg of peanut butter for a simple peanut noodle that feeds one in 5 minutes quite cheap. Use take out soy sauce packets (one packet) and a fast food hot sauce sachet instead of sambal for an even cheaper meal option.
If ever you need a fast and cheap option to start a meal idea, Top Ramen should be at the top of the list.
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Maruchan
I can't usually taste differences in brand like that anyway, so whatever is cheaper.
This type of instant ramen is the example that economics professors use of an inferior good.
inferior goods are those goods the demand for which falls with increase in income of the consumer
At least, that was the example that my professor used when I went to college. I suspect that a lot of cheap instant ramen is eaten on college campuses even to this day.
So, the point is that you're stating what I think is the right way of looking at this. A big part of the reason people buy this is that they aren't making much money, so naturally, they'd want to buy the cheaper one, as well.
I don’t buy that though. Wife and I ate a LOT of ramen in university. Now our kids love it and we buy entire cases at a time for them. I still like it every now and again, it’s nostalgic. For the record we’re WAY better off now than when dirt poor in university.
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As far as instant ramen is concerned, I prefer that black Korean stuff that tastes like hoisin sauce and green onion (forgot what it's called but you know the one).
But between these two, I like Maruchan's slightly thinner noodles better. The chicken flavor is comfort food that takes me back to childhood. The chili lime with shrimp flavor is fire too.
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It is good to know that Lemmy is correct. The answers were, mostly, either maruchan or shin black, both of which are correct. the maruchan is what you pick when you are broke/ sick and aren't sure you'll keep anything down, and shin black is what you pick when you want good ramen not from a ramen shop. $2 USD per packet is a little steep for not sure it's gonna sit well. I have a very picky tummy though so maybe most people have fewer issues with feeling guilty about "losing" pricy food.
Maruchan. Top Ramen noodles have an inferior consistency.
Maruchan for sure
Maruchan chili flavor or get the fuck out.
Maruchan, without question.
MARUCHAN 4 LIFE
Buldak because their chicken flavor is artificial 🥰
I truly don’t care, give me either one
When my girlfriend and I were living together in college. We had discussed this at some length, and eventually decided we weren't poor enough to consider eating Nissin instead of Maruchan. That was, without a doubt, the poorest I have ever been and hopefully ever will be. I'm honestly not sure who the target market for Nissin is.
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Nissin, but if you get the version with a little oil packet. And better yet, beef flavor. With Sriracha
In Norway SamYang Buldak spicy seems to be all the rage. Spicy as fuck tho'
Reading this thread I went to the asian market and got the Nongahim Shin Premium Black. Will test that later
Buldak 2x spicy and the habanero lime flavours are my go to! Love them!
Also love these:
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Maruchan always
I love the fancy ones with like three or four packets inside.
so that's what nissin packaging looks like in english
here's what it looks like in Brazil
i think it tastes pretty good
Shin, Black
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